A contentious issue arose during the temple's first annual festival when individuals wearing Kodava traditional attire were prevented from entering the temple, citing dress code regulations.

MADIKERI: A rift broke out between devotees belonging to two communities over their choice of clothing while attending a temple festival in Kodagu on ... disregarding the dress code mentioned ...

MADIKERI: The Kodagu district administration clamped prohibitory ... protests wearing a black dress, waving black flags, shouting slogans. DC BC Satish issued an order in this regard.